Don't commit 'sin' of using force against protesters: Pawar

In the wake of violence duringthe farmers' tractor parade, NCP president Sharad Pawar onTuesday said what happened in Delhi is indefensible, but onealso cannot ignore reasons which led to the situation as hewarned against use of force on protesters.

The former Union Agriculture Minister asked the Centreto hold a dialogue with cultivators seeking scrapping of thenew agri-marketing laws giving up its ''extreme position'' onthe issue.

A tractor march meant to highlight farmers' demandsdissolved into anarchy on the streets of the national capital,as hordes of rampaging protesters broke through barriers,fought with police, overturned vehicles and hoisted areligious flag from the rampart of Red Fort, a privilegereserved for the tricolour.

Interacting with media persons here, Pawar said Punjabmay head towards restlessness if the Centre uses forceagainst protesters and asked the Modi government to not committhat sin.

The farmers organised tractor rally. It was expectedof the Centre and those responsible for law and order then todeal with them sensibly. But it did not happen is obvious,Pawar alleged.

Pawar said a way out should have been found over thefarmers demands without hurting the protesters who have beenagitating for two months.

The NCP leader said from the information he hasreceived, strict conditions were imposed on the protestersbefore they took out the tractor rally.

It was required to deal with the protesters keepingin mind their 50-60 days agitation and their patience. But adifferent view was held (by the authorities) and hence, thesituation has deteriorated.

None can defend what is happening there today. But wealso cannot ignore why it is happening, Pawar said.

Pawar said it was the responsibility of the Centre tonote why the farmers who were protesting peacefully till nowturned angry and added the government should have handled theagitators accordingly.

But it did not happen and the situation deteriorated,Pawar alleged.

It is my expectation that the Centre shows prudenceand gives up its extreme position on the issue while holdingdialogue with these (farmers) bodies.

It should hold a dialogue. It should think of theirdemands seriously and take a suitable decision, Pawar said.

He said Punjab may head towards restlessness if theCentre uses force against the agitators.

If this is not done (dialogue is not held) and if we(the Centre) try to use force, then Punjab -- which wasrestless once upon a time, but has recovered -- may headtowards restlessness and the Modi government should not committhat sin, Pawar added.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)